Глава 14

Abandoned Mansion, Londinium Outskirts

Is she back?

Not yet.

Damn, it was hard enough dodging those devils. How did she survive and even find us—

How the heck did she know that I did business with the devils?

Well, consider that business deal lost.

What about you? How'd she get you?

She held a crossbow to my head.

I knew her from before. She didn't used to be so—

Didn't used to be so what?

Go on.

Er, no, I didn't—

The soldier, who has served the dukes all his life, lies on the ground, a crossbow pointed at his forehead.

The voice of the one holding the crossbow is cold as ice.

I'm waiting.

I just—s-sorry, Millscar!

I-I shouldn't have—

Aaaahh!

The bolt pierces his ear.

Some people punch holes in their pets' ears as a sign of ownership.

A man is not a pet, of course... but sometimes they're not so different, are they?

I...

Now get back up and give me a status report.

Have you done what I've asked of you?

Y-Yes, ma'am!

W-well, the reception at the monitoring station was really bad, so even though we tried to gather as much information as possible—

Skip to the conclusion.

Based on what little information the Trilby Asher left behind, and the occasional intercepted comms, we can confirm that a unit called 'the Exemplars' has been formed, and its leader is most likely the one you spoke of...

'Vina'.

They seem to be headed for the front at Silverrock Bluffs.

Silverrock Bluffs. They're really staying in this war.

Keep at it. Notify me of any new developments.

Y-Yes, ma'am!

—Phew.

Well, this is easier than expected.

I thought it would be tougher.

No scruples. No acts to put up.

I found <i>Victoria</i>.

A red light flashes a few times in the deep shadows.

Isn't it your job to protect her?

Forty-three hours into the operation...

I knew you would come.

...Ulšulah.

That mad bomber W came once to set up this prison.

Ines came twice to show 'compassion'. Same old Ines, always a tad slow with her retort when she's focused on someone else's shadow.

Now, it's you. What have you come to say?

Have you thought it over?

That's my line.

Your situation is perilous. Your only vehicle lies disabled.

As the pilot, I'm very likely to know something that you don't, and probably am waiting for the right time to strike.

Really, you should kill me, Hoederer.

I would rather you helped us with what you know.

In your dreams.

I already turned you down once. You give me too little credit if you think I would change my mind just because I'm a prisoner.

Three times.

What?

You saved our lives three times back in Kazdel. My life once, Ines's life twice.

You wrote all that in your diary?

Name your price. I'll do my best to pay it.

You'll go bankrupt if you quit the mercenary life to open a business.

I just want as many Sarkaz to make it back to Kazdel alive as possible.

Such grand ambitions.

But enough chitchat. Let the old rules of Scar Market lie buried beneath Kazdel. Our debt is settled.

One last warning, Hoederer. Kill me now, or you'll regret it.

Did it ever occur to you that we both want the same thing—

Enough of your righteous crap.

Don't try to buy my life with your flowery words, old friend. They're not much better than money.

A mercenary takes no sides. But you and I aren't really mercenaries anymore.

Wanna bet, Ines?

Hoederer's gonna try talking Ulšulah into helping for old time's sake at Scar Market. Ulšulah's gonna tell him to just get it over with, and Hoederer's gonna come back with a long face.

What's the wager?

That's it? I figured you'd be jealous with the two of them all alone in a room together.

...W.

Stop trying to read my shadow, Ines. I'm not in the mood.

The bunny and the Victorian have been gone for a while... wonder how things are going out there.

Bonesy is still playing dead, and Theresis's Catastrophe refuses to go away. Who knows, maybe Manfred's gonna just pop out of nowhere.

I could have blown Theresis up right then and there!

I know you're restless because of Theresa, but hold that fuse for a moment. We have a lot of prep work to do.

*Sarkaz swearing*! Who said I was—

We've got a problem, W...

Out with it.

It's time for a shift change, but not all our scouts came back.

Crane's team went off to the north side of the canyon, and we can't reach them.

Don't tell me they ran into a decent enemy caster.

When was your last communication?

Almost three hours ago.

If our enemy could make an entire merc squad disappear without a sound, they would've been on top of us by now.

The most important thing to do at the moment is keep the Lifebone safe.

We're just gonna sit here when we know something's going on outside?

I agree with Ines.

We know nothing about this place. The safest course of action is to concentrate our forces.

Cut the crap. My men are missing. I want to know why.

If they got lost, I'll bring them back. If somebody did them in, I'll return the favor.

Calm down! This could be a trap to split us up—

I don't like playing defense. Even if it's a trap, I'll just blast them out of hiding.

Give me half a day. If I don't come back, that means I'm up against a real nasty piece of work. Don't come after me, get your defenses ready.

If you get a call from Amiya, don't wait for me, just activate the Lifebone.

I'll take my own squad. No need to bother anyone else.

You lot. Grab your weapons and follow me.

Is this where they went?